Most iOS gamers prefer in-game advertisements over paying for games

According to a new survey released by Wild Tangent, iOS gamers overwhelmingly prefer to play free games with in-app advertisements over paying for a title that does not include ads. The survey, conducted in conjunction with IHS Technology, asked 500 iOS users about their game playing habits. Approximately 86 percent of respondents said they would rather play a free game with ads than spend money on an ad-free, paid title. Of this 86 percent, 70 percent favored free, ad-support games, while 16 percent preferred a freemium title that offered levels and other content via in-app purchases. When asked about their preference for the types of games online gamers preferred, advertising supported games were chosen by the vast majority of those surveyed. 70% of respondents said they preferred free games supported by advertising and 16% preferred freemium games with the option to pay for levels in the game. Only 14% preferred online games they had to pay for to play. Gamers also prefer advertising models that give them control over their viewing. When asked if they prefer games that let them choose when and how to view ads over those that do not, 71% preferred that level of control. Gamers also preferred games that rewarded them with in-game currency for watching advertisements or videos within the app. Popular hunting game Deer Hunter 2013 is an excellent example of this model, providing users with valuable gold in exchange for watching video advertisements or signing up for select online offers from within the app. Freemium games have been enjoying a tidal wave of success in the App Store, replacing paid titles as the top grossing apps across the iOS App Store. Among the top 50 apps in Apple’s Top Grossing charts, 43 of the titles are freemium games, with only one paid game, Minecraft Pocket Edition, earning enough money to climb to the 18th slot. The remaining six apps are non-game titles. Do you play games on your iPhone or iPad? Do you prefer paid games or freemium titles? [Via MacRumors] Continue reading →

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Apple’s A7 processor confirmed to be desktop quality

Anandtech took its typical deep dive into hardware, examining Apple’s A7 processorr using a combination of its own analysis and code changes to Apple’s LLVM compiler project. The hardware review goes into great detail about the A7 and its underlying architecture, describing how Apple made significant improvements over its previous generation A6 processor. In the end, reviewer Anand Lal Shimpi concludes that the A7 is a “desktop class” processor as Apple claims. Anandtech adds that most apps don’t take advantage of the underlying power of the architecture, with most users likely running into RAM limitations, instead of maxing out the CPU performance. Cyclone is a bold move by Apple, but not one that is without its challenges. I still find that there are almost no applications on iOS that really take advantage of the CPU power underneath the hood. More than anything Apple needs first party software that really demonstrates what’s possible. The challenge is that at full tilt a pair of Cyclone cores can consume quite a bit of power. So for now, Cyclone’s performance is really used to exploit race to sleep and get the device into a low power state as quickly as possible. The other problem I see is that although Cyclone is incredibly forward looking, it launched in devices with only 1GB of RAM. It’s very likely that you’ll run into memory limits before you hit CPU performance limits if you plan on keeping your device for a long time. Anandtech follows its analysis with a look at the bright future of the hardware, noting that “the rest of the players in the ultra mobile CPU space didn’t aim high enough.” Qualcomm was initially critical of the A7 when it was announced last year, calling the 64-bit chip a marketing gimmick that offered “zero benefit” to consumers. Qualcomm executives retracted that statement, with an anonymous employee later admitting that Apple’s A7 hardware “hit them in the gut.” Continue reading →

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Apple announces iPad Air and Retina iPad mini with TD-LTE for China

Apple today announced it is releasing new versions of the iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display with support for China’s TD-LTE networks. The devices target China Mobile, which launched its TD-LTE network last year and started selling the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c for the 4G network earlier this year. BEIJING―April 1, 2014―Apple® today announced TD-LTE capable models of iPad Air™ and iPad mini™ with Retina® display, bringing high-speed LTE performance* to iPad® customers in China, are available starting today. The new iPad models give customers the ability to connect to today’s most advanced cellular data networks at blazingly fast speeds, so users can surf the web or download email and apps even faster. These new TD-LTE models also support China’s TD-SCDMA standard and add yet another option for Chinese consumers who want the mobility offered by the cellular models. Besides cellular models, customers also can choose a WLAN-only model. Chinese customers can purchase one of these new TD-LTE iPads through Apple retail stores, online at Apple’s China storefront or from select Apple Authorized resellers. The iPad Air with WLAN + TD-LTE Cellular will start at 4,488 (RMB) for the base 16GB model, while the TD-LTE version of the iPad mini with Retina display will start at 3,788 (RMB) for the 16GB model. Continue reading →

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Apple to announce its Q2 2014 earnings on April 23

Apple updated its Investor’s website with information about its upcoming Q2 2014 earnings report. The company will release its quarterly earning reports and hold its earnings conference call on April 23. Apple typically releases its earnings report around 4:30PM ET, following the close of regular stock trading in the US. The conference call to discuss those earnings follows the earnings report at 5:00 p.m. ET or 2:00 p.m. PT. The call features commentary from CFO Peter Oppenheimer and Apple CEO Tim Cook who discuss the earnings and answer analyst questions. This first three months of the year is usually a slow quarter for technology companies, which face a dip in sales after in the fiscal quarter after higher than average sales in the previous holiday quarter. Last quarter, Apple reported a record number of iPhone and iPad sales that climber to 51 million iPhone units and 26 million iPad units. For this just ending quarter, Apple predicted near-zero growth year over year with predicted revenue of $42-44 billion and gross margin of approximately 38 percent. Continue reading →

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NY Museum to simulate a minefield using iBeacons for International Mine Awareness Day

Apple’s iBeacon technology has landed in retail stores, in basketball arenas and soon it will take center stage in a museum. As reported by 9to5Mac, the New Museum in Now York City will use iBeacons to simulate a minefield as part of the UN’s International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. Patrons who plan to visit the minefield exhibit can download the Sweeper app for iOS or Android starting April 3rd. iBeacons installed within the museum will trigger a landmine explosion on a user’s phone when they get to close to an iBeacon transmitter. The Sweeper exhibit is a live experience of a virtual minefield. When used at a UN event, Sweeper (www.getsweeper.com) is the app that allows anyone to experience the fear of living with land mines (App is going live on April 3). Using iBeacon, a low energy Bluetooth technology to find a phone’s location, the Sweeper app detects transmitters hidden throughout the exhibit. When a person comes too close to a transmitter, it acts as a landmine and detonates, filling the user’s headphones with a jarring, visceral explosion followed by an audio testimony of someone’s actual experience. Users are then invited to make a small donation of $5 to help ensure no one ever has to go through what they just did. If you are interested in this technology and live in NYC, you can visit the public exhibit at the New Museum in New York City on April 4th between 11am and 3pm. Using iBeacons to raise social awareness about such an important issue is one of the most innovative uses of the technology we have seen thus far, How else do you see iBeacons being used outside of the retail sector? Continue reading →

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Like Office for iPad? Get a 33% discount on an Office 365 subscription

Microsoft released Office for iPad after years of rumors and speculation last week. While the Office for iPad apps — PowerPoint, Word and Excel — can be freely downloaded from the App Store, you’ll need an Office 365 subscription to edit documents. If you’re looking to buy an Office 365 subscription, we have a good deal for you. Amazon is selling a yearly Office 365 Home Premium subscription for $67, down from its regular price of $99, which is a discount of 33 percent. The Office 365 subscription lets you use Office on up to 5 PC/Macs and 5 tablets, including the iPad. To buy the subscription, visit this Amazon link. You can download Office for iPad apps from the following links: Excel Powerpoint Word The three apps have been well received by reviewers, and have quickly shot up to the top positions in the App Store Top Free and Top Grossing charts. Following the release of Office for iPad, Microsoft let users download and use Office Mobile for iPhone for free. Continue reading →

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Keep Charged with the Dark Energy Reservoir [Deals Hub]

Sometimes you need an extra charge while you’re on the go. It’s not easy to get to an outlet, and you can’t be bothered to slow down when you’re in the middle of your daily grind, so you need a way to charge while on the go so you don’t have to slow down. Connect with the Dark Energy Reservoir and you’ll be able to keep your phone powered while you keep going. You can get it on sale from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. The Dark Energy Reservoir is the perfect tool for any on the go person who relies on their mobile device to keep them connected over the course of the day. With a body no larger than a smartphone, it’s easy to take with anywhere. Charge two devices simultaneously, and with 8,000mAh of power, it can charge your iPhone up to five times before it’s out of juice. You can get the Dark Energy Reservoir on sale from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub for just $114.99. That’s a savings of 17% off the retail price. It’s a deal you can’t beat for this great on-the-go accessory, so grab this offer today! Continue reading →

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Weekend news roundup: All the best Apple news from last week

As we close out one week and kick off another, let’s take a moment to look back at the attention-grabbing headlines from the past seven days. Some of the news you may recall, some may be new to you, but all the topics below are worthy of a second mention. below are worthy of a mention. **[Apple will automate iPhone battery production starting from late 2014](http://ift.tt/OQWd6G)** A new report from Taiwanese sources claims that Apple is looking to automate battery production of the iPhones in order to focus on other essential components needed by the smartphone. **[Apple expanding iTunes Radio to news with new NPR Radio channel](http://ift.tt/OOiulP)** While iTunes Radio was originally introduced as a music streaming service, Apple has added a new NPR channel to the service that’ll stream news all throughout the day. **[Apple offering refund for recent in-app purchases made by minors](http://ift.tt/1fcs5sW)** Apple is reaching out to customers who recently made in-app purchases and offering them a refund if the purchase was made by minor. This is one of several steps the Cupertino company has taken in recent years to curb inadvertent in-app purchases by children. **[Apple has now sold over 500 million iPhones](http://ift.tt/1h6DLSb)** According to analyst estimates, Apple sold its 500 millionth iPhone in the last few weeks, marking an important milestone since the device’s introduction in 2007. Apple’s own reports reveal that the company has sold 472 million iPhones since its launch till the end of 2013. Analysts estimate that the company will sell over 38 million iPhones this quarter, and with only a few days left for the quarter to end, it’s very likely that the 500th iPhone has already been sold. **[Rumor: Apple to launch Retina MacBook Air later this year](http://ift.tt/1h9HtKS)** According to supply chain sources cited by Digitimes, Apple is working on a MacBook Air featuring a Retina display with launch expected later this year. It is very likely that this could be the much rumored 12-inch MacBook that the company is allegedly working on, although there’s no confirmation of that as of yet. **[Apple engineer gives an inside look at the development of the original iPhone](http://ift.tt/1fk2nTz)** The iPhone, when it first came out in 2007, was way ahead of its time, with its large touchscreen interface, and technologies like multitouch, momentum scrolling, etc. Greg Christie, an Apple engineer, spoke with The Wall Street Journal, detailing the development of the original iPhone, revealing behind the scenes information about how many of its features came to be. **[One third of iPhone users surveyed would pay more for a big-screened iPhone](http://ift.tt/P2vZOA)** Raymond James analyst Tavis McCourt claims Apple’s ownership in 2014 will remain steady in the US, with interest in the iPhone 6 primarily coming from Apple’s existing user base. This prediction was reported by Barron’s and is derived from McCourt’s quarterly survey that looks at smartphone ownership in the US. **[Apple files patent for smudge resistant oleophobic coating for sapphire glass displays](http://ift.tt/P69wAm)** In what appears to be further proof of Apple is planning to use a sapphire glass display in future iPhones, a new patent filing from the company has revealed that it’s looking to add an oleophobic coating to the display to make it immune to smudges involved with standard displays. **[Microsoft releases Word, Excel and PowerPoint for iPad](http://ift.tt/1fobRx0)** At its media event in San Francisco, Microsoft’s new CEO Satya Nadella announced Office for iPad, after several years of rumors of its existence. The Office for iPad suite of app consists of Word, Excel and Powerpoint, and will go live on the App Store at 11 am PT today. **[iPhone 6 with 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screen coming as early as September [Report]](http://ift.tt/O08Mf7)** Japanese business newspaper Nikkei claims that Apple will launch the new iPhone “as early as September.” The report claims that the next generation iPhone will indeed be called “iPhone 6“. The report also claims that iPhone 6 will come with a 4.7-inch and a 5.5-inch display, which is in line with rumors we’ve heard so far. **[Amazon to announce Apple TV competitor at April 2nd media event](http://ift.tt/1foxaOQ)** Amazon today sent out invites to media outlets for a press event on the 2nd of April, to talk about its video business, hinting at the launch of the company’s rumored media streaming device. **[Evasi0n7 1.0.8 adds support for iOS 7.0 Build 11A466](http://ift.tt/1fvxKus)** evad3rs have quietly released evasi0n7 to add support for iOS 7 build 11A466. It looks like some iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c units shipped with iOS 7.0 build 11A466. **[Apple approaching Swiss watchmakers for partnership; tries to poach experts for iWatch project](http://ift.tt/1mgiIx8)** Apple wants to partner with Swiss watchmakers for making the iWatch, according to a Financial Times report. While a partnership offer by Apple might be considered prestigious by some companies, Swiss watchmakers aren’t too keen on accepting the offer. **[50+ iOS 7 Jailbreak Tweaks and Themes on my iPhone; What’s on your iPhone?](http://ift.tt/1k76Tbj)** So a lot of veteran jailbreakers already have an idea of what they want on their device when they jailbreak. Well, for those new jailbreakers out there that are looking for a complete list of tweaks that tweak out your iPhone to the max, or if you’re just looking for massive list of good tweaks, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 50+ tweaks and themes I have on my iPhone. Continue reading →

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Federal judge approves class action status in Apple ebook price fixing case

U.S. District Judge Denise Cote granted class action status to a lawsuit that accuses Apple of conspiring with publishers to fix eBook prices, reports Reuters. Cote has not assigned damages in the case, but experts believe it could climb into hundreds of millions of dollars. Cote said in her ruling that the plaintiffs had “more than met their burden” to sue as a group. She rejected Apple’s assertions that the plaintiff’s claims were too diverse for the group to be considered for class status. She also disagreed with the company’s arguments that consumers were not harmed as some eBook prices fell, a claim that Apple also pushed while defending itself in an earlier suit filed by the US Department of Justice . Apple is facing both the consumer class action suit noted above and a separate civil suit involving 33 states and U.S. territories that sued Apple on behalf of their consumers. Damages have not been awarded in the latter case, but they may exceed more than $800 million. Continue reading →

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Dropbox to acquire Readmill, shut down service on July 1

A Thursday report from TechCrunch hinted at the Drobox’s acquisition of eBook reading an sharing service, Readmill. Today, the Berlin-based startup confirmed the company was joining Dropbox and shutting down its app later this year. According to the company’s blog post, Dropbox acquired the company for its expertise in syncing eBooks across devices. Our team will be joining Dropbox, where our expertise in reading, collaboration and syncing across devices finds a fitting home. Millions of people use Dropbox to store and share their digital lives, and we believe it’s a strong foundation on which to build the future of reading. We’re delighted to work alongside this talented team and imagine new ways to read together. Effective today, Readmill will stop accepting new registrations and will give its current users three months to migrate away from the service. Users can export their ebooks and reading data so they can pick up right where they left off. Were you a Readmill user? What do you think of this Dropbox merger? Continue reading →

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Sketchy renderings of the 4.7 inch and 5.7 inch iPhone 6c models crop up

A new leaked sketch from Japan has revealed the possible design of the upcoming low cost iPhone 6c models. The sketches show a 4.7 inch model as well as a 5.7 inch variant sporting a very familiar design. It has long been rumored that Apple will continue launching two iPhones every year, with one targeting the high end consumers and the other meant for the midrange market segment. The sketches reveal a design very similar to the iPhone 5c with rounded edges and rectangular volume buttons. But it is said that Apple might go with an all metal iPhone lineup this time, getting rid of the plastic/polycarbonate iPhone altogether. It is widely speculated that Apple will launch iPhone 6 with a 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch display. According to report from Japanese newspaper Nikkei yesterday, Apple could launch the new iPhones as early as September. So we are quite skeptical about these renderings as it seems unlikely that Apple will launch a low-end 5.7-inch iPhone 6c and a higher end 5.5-inch iPhone 6. If Apple does end up launching iPhones with bigger screens, then we expect it to launch an iPhone 6 with 5.5-inch, 4.7-inch and 4-inch display, and iPhone 6c with a 4-inch display. Let us know what you think in the comments. [Via Mac Otakara] Continue reading →

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Yahoo Weather updated with pull-to-refresh photos, new precipitation data

Yahoo updated its Weather app with a handful of new features that add some polish to the app. The app is known for its gorgeous UI, which includes Flickr photos that match your weather and time of day. These latest additions build upon this solid foundation, making the overall experience even better than it was before. The biggest change in Yahoo Weather is the addition of new weather parameters such as wind chill, which will be displayed wind is a factor in the forecast. The app now also shows the chance of precipitation on both the 5 and 10-day forecasts, which is a welcome addition that brings Yahoo on par with its competitors in this area. Photos also are improved with a new pull-to-refresh allowing users to refresh their weather image on demand. As noted in the app description, the full list of new features in Yahoo Weather include the following: Added chance of precipitation to 5-day and 10-day forecasts. Wind chill shown with summary screen when relevant. New animations for moon phases as you scroll through details. Pull to refresh shows a new photograph when possible. The updated Yahoo Weather app is available for free from the iOS App Store. It is compatible with any iPhone and iPad running iOS 6.0 or later. Continue reading →

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Apple patent application hints at Smart Case with integrated multitouch keyboard

Apple iPad owners may have another accessory to toss in their bag when they head out the door. According to a patent application spotted by AppleInsider, Apple may be working on a Smart Case with a built-in multitouch keyboard for the iPad. The patent, titled “Cover for electronic device,” was published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office. It describes a keyboard case that borrows from the design of the company’s existing Smart Case and adds a touch-sensitive keyboard, much like the Touch Cover that’s available for Microsoft’s Surface tablets. Electronic devices such as tablet computers and the like may be used in combination with coverings that protect the device. Typically, protective coverings for tablet computers extend over the surface area of the touch screen component of the tablet computer. The need to protect this valuable component of the tablet computer is well understood by makers of protective coverings. However, users may also be concerned with protecting the rear surface of the tablet computer from scratches, dings, or other damage that may create an unsightly appearance for the tablet computer. Thus, there may be a need for protective coverings for all surfaces of an electronic device such as a tablet computer. Additionally electronic devices such as tablet computers may be configured with peripheral components such as wireless keyboards that provide a mechanism for entering input. In some configurations, the keyboard may be used to enter input in combination with or in lieu of the touchscreen component of a tablet computer. As a component such as a wireless keyboard may also be vulnerable to damage, it may be desirable to have a covering that protects both the tablet computer and an associated keyboard. Unlike the Touch Cover and other similar products, Apple’s design allows a user to remove the keyboard when they don’t need it. The keyboard would connect to the iPad via a wireless or plug connection and would attach using magnets or other mechanical closures. Would you be interested in a Smart Cover with a removable wireless keyboard? Let us know in the comments. Continue reading →

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WSJ: Amazon plans free, ad-supported streaming video service

Amazon earlier today sent out invites to an April media event that retailer likely will use to introduce a new media streaming device. Details on the media device are sparse, but a new Wall Street Journal report sheds some light on the video service that will accompany the hardware. According to the WSJ, Amazon plans to launch a free video streaming service to those who subscribe to the company’s Prime service. The service will include original programming from Amazon as well as licensed content. It will be ad-supported. The new service, which could launch in the coming months, likely will feature original series and may include licensed programming, these people said. As part of the project, Amazon has held talks with the creators of “Betas,” a series about a Silicon Valley startup that Amazon produced last year for Prime, these people said. Amazon also plans a music video streaming service that would integrate into the music section of its retail website. Customers browsing through an artist’s collection os songs would be able to watch the accompanying music videos. This move is part of a broader push by Amazon to move away from its core retail sales and towards a new role as a content provider. Analysis by Cantor FiAmazon suggests Amazon invested about $1 billion to acquire content and produce original programming in 2013. Continue reading →

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Microsoft announces Office for iPad, to be available on App Store at 11am PT today

At its media event in San Francisco, Microsoft’s new CEO Satya Nadella announced Office for iPad, after several years of rumors of its existence. The Office for iPad suite of app consists of Word, Excel and Powerpoint, and will go live on the App Store at 11 am PT today. Office for iPad will be based on a freemium pricing model, wherein the apps are free for viewing documents, but to create and edit documents, you’ll need a Microsoft 365 subscription, which costs $6.99 for personal use, and $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year for the Home Premium edition, which you can use on up to 5 devices. Developing Continue reading →

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Take High Quality Photos with this iPhone Photography Bundle [Deals Hub]

Your iPhone isn’t just for texting and web browsing. It’s a device capable of capturing awesome imagery and vivid video. You can get even better results out of your iPhone photography when you equip your phone with the Smart Phocus Bundle. You can get this must-have collection of photography accessories on sale right now from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. If you’re looking to start snapping more photos with your iPhone, then this is the ideal bundle for you. There are three various and unique lenses that will help you capture pictures that you couldn’t otherwise. They attach quickly and easily so you won’t miss a moment, and lens and tripod mounts will keep you sturdy throughout your shooting. Throw it all into the carrying case and take it with you and before long, your Instagram feed will be the envy of all your friends. You can get the Smart Phocus Bundle on sale now from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub for just $99.95. That’s a savings of 23% off the retail price. That’s a great deal for any iPhone photography enthusiast, so grab this offer today. Continue reading →

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Apple patents “transparent texting” technology to let you text when you walk

We have seen several apps and jailbreak tweaks for the iPhone which lets you look at what’s happening in front of you while letting you text at the same time. One such app was discussed last week in our CamText preview. But Apple has now applied for a patent over at the USPTO to a technology very similar to this which will offer “transparent texting” to users. This could mean that a future iteration of iOS could support this feature by default. The technology used in this is very uncomplicated, as it turns on the rear camera of the iPhone and provides a real time feed within the messaging client. This can help users avoid accidents while walking on the street or even have an actual conversation with a user without appearing anti-social. This feature will be enabled courtesy of an on-screen button embedded within supported apps. Transparent screen could also be enabled with other apps which involves text like a web browser or an eBook. It remains to be seen if Apple will implement the feature in iOS 8, its next generation mobile operating system, which is expected to be released late this year. But given Apple’s drive to remain competitive and launch innovative features each year, we will not be completely surprised to see this in the upcoming release of iOS. [Via Apple Insider] Continue reading →

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Apple files patent for smudge resistant oleophobic coating for sapphire glass displays

In what appears to be further proof of Apple is planning to use a sapphire glass display in future iPhones, a new patent filing from the company has revealed that it’s looking to add an oleophobic coating to the display to make it immune to smudges involved with standard displays. This isn’t a major feature as Apple has been using oleophobic coating for its devices since the iPhone 3GS. However, Apple’s research has reportedly found that sapphire glass doesn’t react the same way to this coating the way Gorilla Glass does. So the company is believed to be adding a layer of Gorilla Glass material between the sapphire glass and the coating so that it sticks more firmly. Several hints in the past have indicted that Apple is working on a sapphire glass display for the iPhone 6. These reports were further substantiated when the company announced its partnership with GTA Technologies for the manufacturing of sapphire glass in required quantities. The company is opening a dedicated unit in Arizona to meet Apple’s demands. So the use of sapphire glass with the new iPhone is almost a certainty at this point. [Via Apple Insider] Continue reading →

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Photos show quick pace of construction at Apple’s Arizona sapphire plant

New photos obtained by AppleInsider show that construction at Apple’s Arizona sapphire plant is moving quickly, with expansion to a nearby building possible as plans for the facility grow. The photos show several buildings and external structures that appear to be near completion. The entrance to the plant already bears the GT Advanced logo and markings presumably for important areas within the facility. Rumors suggest construction is taking place around the clock as workers try to get the plant fully operational by June. Though completion is still a few months away, documents filed with the U.S. International Trade Administration suggest parts of the plant may have gone live in February. Other rumors claim Apple is considering expanding its facility to a building on the site that was formerly owned by photovoltaic panel maker First Solar. Details on this expansion entails and what Apple plans to do with this extra building are unclear. Apple is expected to use the Mesa, Arizona plant to manufacture sapphire for a future Apple device. Prevailing rumors hint at an iPhone 6 or an iWatch with a sapphire glass display. Apple already uses sapphire in the iPhone 5s as a protective covering for the camera lens and in the phone’s Touch ID sensor. Continue reading →

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Twitter adds photo tagging, multiple photo upload per tweet to iOS app

Twitter today announced that it is rolling out two new mobile features that will improve the handling of photographs in a Twitter stream. These changes are available now to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users. First and foremost is the addition of photo tagging, which lets the person identify other Twitters users who are included in the shot that is being posted to the social network. Up to 10 people can be tagged in a photo without using any of the 140 characters available per tweet. The feature won’t be a free–for-all as privacy options will enable users to restrict who can tag them and notifications will alert them when they are tagged by someone else. A second photo-oriented feature will allow users to upload up to four photos per tweet, making it easier for them to share photos more concisely with their followers. These multiple photos will be arranged in a collage-like grid that is viewable by tapping on a photo to view an individual shot and swiping to cycle through the remaining images in the collage. The two features will hit the iPhone app today with Android and web support coming soon. Though some users won’t be able to upload multiple pictures per tweet, everyone will be able view them regardless of their platform. The official Twitter app is available for free from the iOS App Store. What do you think of these new photo features? Let us know in the comments. Continue reading →

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Steve Jobs biopic back on Netflix as subtitle issue foils earlier launch

If you didn’t watch Ashton Kutcher’s portrayal of Steve Jobs in independent film, Jobs, now is your chance if you are a Netfix subscriber. Directed by Joshua Michael Stern, the film is available to stream to iOS and Mac users for those who $7.99 a month for unlimited streaming. The title appeared briefly yesterday on the streaming service and was quickly pulled by Netflix due to issues with the subtitles, reports 9to5Mac. The Jobs biopic was released last year to mixed reviews, with most critics panning the movie’s heavy emphasis on Apple’s internal workings, despite the Jobs-centric title of the film. Kutcher’s performance as Jobs was solid in what was otherwise a lackluster film. Apple fans who don’t subscribe to Netflix can purchase or rent the Jobs film through iTunes, where the high-definition (HD) version is available as a $19.99 purchase or $4.99 24-hour rental. You can save some money with the standard definition (SD) version, which costs $14.99 to buy or $3.99 to rent. Continue reading →

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One third of iPhone users surveyed would pay more for a big-screened iPhone

Raymond James analyst Tavis McCourt claims Apple’s ownership in 2014 will remain steady in the US, with interest in the iPhone 6 primarily coming from Apple’s existing user base. This prediction was reported by Barron’s and is derived from McCourt’s quarterly survey that looks at smartphone ownership in the US. About half of survey respondents said they were considering an iPhone for their next smartphone purchase, while 44.4% said they had an Android phone on their radar. The percent of survey respondents who owned iPhones declined q/q to 52.3% from a high of 56% in December, but was up from 49.4% a year ago. iPhone share likely to continue to be stable: 49.7% of respondents intend to purchase an iPhone for their next smartphone, which is at the low end of the 50% to 55% range witnessed in our survey since we began in June 2012. McCourt’s survey also points to interest in a big iPhone, with one third of respondents willing to pay more for a large-screened model. 3% of iPhone users would be willing to pay $100 more for a bigger- screened iPhone (up from 26% in our last survey). With speculation that iPhone 6 will have a bigger screen, it will be interesting to see Apple’s pricing choice. Only 6% of Android owners in the survey expressed interest in a larger iPhone, suggesting a 4.7-inch iPhone may not lead to a mass defection of Android owners to the iPhone platform as some have predicted. Do you plan on buying an iPhone this fall? Would you pay more for a larger model? Continue reading →

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To-do app Clear for iOS will be updated with Reminders next month

Clear for iOS, one of the most popular to-do apps by Realmac software will be getting the ability to add reminders in an update scheduled to land on the App Store sometime next month. The feature is a natural extension of any to-do and list making app, and has hence been one of the most popular feature requests. The folks at Realmac say: As many of you know, we’ve been working on the next major feature update to Clear: Reminders. The team has been working incredibly hard to make this happen, however we also want to make reminders as intuitive as possible – and that means we’ve been constantly tweaking and refining how things work. The changes mean we’ve over-run from our (already-delayed) March launch – and we’re now looking to release the updates in early April. The update will also have a two new set of sounds, that will be available as IAPs. For those who bought Realmac’s ill-fated Clear+, the two sound packs will be free, through a rather complicated restore process. Clear’s to-do app shot to fame in 2012 due to its minimal interface, great animations and heavy reliance on gestures. The app is available on the App Store for iPhone and iPad for $4.99. Continue reading →

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iPhone 6 concept showcases iPod nano-inspired design

A report from earlier this year hinted that Apple was working an iPhone with an iPhone 5c and iPod nano-inspired design that would ditch the slate grey hues and bring some color to Apple’s premium iPhone line. Concept artist Martin Hajek and iCulture went beyond color and imagined an iPhone as an oversized iPod nano. The concept rendering form Hajek showcases the iPhone 6 with some familiar touches, such as the iconic UI of iOS and the distinctive Touch ID home button. The gentle curved form factor of the iPhone 5/5s has been with a distinguishing boxy design that is reminiscent of Nokia’s Lumia handsets. Apple is expected to increase the display dimensions of the iPhone from its current 4-inches to a sizable 4.7-inch or 5.5-inch display. Early rumors hint the company may be working on two larger models for launch later this year, but a more recent report suggests Apple will debut the 4.7-inch version before increasing the display size even further in the future. The iPhone 6 may also feature a sapphire glass display, a faster A8 processor and improvements in camera performance. It likely will launch alongside iOS 8, which should be unveiled at WWDC in June. Do you like the idea of a larger iPhone? How about a boxier model like the one shown above? Share your thoughts in the comments. [Via MacRumors] Continue reading →

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iTunes Movie Trailers app now includes Rotten Tomatoes reviews, notification support

Apple updated its iTunes Movie Trailers app bringing support for notifications and reviews from Rotten Tomatoes. Available for the iPhone and iPad, the Movie Trailers app allows you to watch new and exclusive HD movie previews on your iOS device. Apple released the app in 2011 and has gradually made improvements to the title. The most notable change in the app is the inclusion of Rotten Tomatoes reviews which provides valuable insight into the quality of a movie from the industry’s best critics. Also included in the newest version is support for notifications, which allows you to add a movie to a favorites list and be alerted when it arrives in theaters or debuts in iTunes. This latest update brings the app to version 1.4, which according to the app’s description, includes the following changes: Add a movie to Favorites to be notified when it debuts in theaters or becomes available in the iTunes Store Read critic reviews provided by Rotten Tomatoes for movies that are in theaters, right from the app Share links to your favorite movie trailers using AirDrop Additional bug fixes and performance improvements The Movie Trailers app is available for free from the iOS App Store. It requires iOS 7. Do you use Apple’s Movie Trailers app or do you have another favorite? Let us know in the comments. Continue reading →

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Instagram reportedly testing Facebook Places as a replacement for Foursquare

Photo-sharing app Instagram is reportedly testing Facebook Places as a source of location information instead of Foursquare, reports Fast Company. Wait, did Facebook just secretly stop using Foursquare's API for location services on Instagram and replace it with their mapping service? — Guy Barnhart (@guybarnhart) March 18, 2014 Select users have noticed that when they tap on a photo to “Name this location,” Instagram now pulls its location information using Facebook Places’ database instead of from Foursquare. Instagram would not confirm this change, but noted that the company often tests out new services occasionally. A spokesperson for Instagram indicated to Fast Company that it’s not uncommon for the service to trial new features. “We are constantly testing experiences throughout the app to provide the best possible user experience as part of future planning,” the representative said by email. The spokesperson added that “Foursquare is a great partner,” and that users “will continue to be able to share their check-ins to Foursquare from Instagram,” just as they can push Instagram content onto Twitter, Tumblr, and Flickr. Instagram is owned by Facebook and likely wants to keep this data out of the hands of a potential competitor. Users upload millions of photos each day from the places they visit, which collectively offers a wealth of information about which places are popular and when they are visited the most. Companies recognize the value of this data, which is why they are lining up to negotiate a deal with locations services like Foursquare, Yelp and Gowalla. Microsoft recently inked a deal with Foursquare to provide location data to services like Bing and Windows-based mobile apps. I Continue reading →

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Delta executive lands at Apple, while Chomp co-founder departs

Apple is moving around executives, adding a new VP in online retail and losing a member of its Maps group. Both of these changes were first noticed by 9to5Mac and TechCrunch. Bob Kupbens, Former Vice President of Marketing, joined Apple to as the company’s new Vice President of Online Retail. His move foreshadows the transition of former Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts to Senior Vice President of both Apple retail stores and online retail. Kupbens likely will replace current Online VP Jennifer Bailey, who is rumored to be heading up Apple’s mobile payments project. At the same time 9to5Mac noticed the Kupbens change, TechCrunch reports the Chomp co-founder Cathy Edwards will be leaving Apple effective April 11th. She joined Apple after Apple acquired Chomp and served as Director of Evaluation and Quality for Apple Maps. He departure is less significant to Apple as the Maps team is reportedly well-staffed. Continue reading →

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DockFlow brings awesome animations to your iPhone dock [ Jailbreak Tweak]

When you were stuck on iOS 7 without a jailbreak, what was the tweak you just couldn’t wait to download? For me, it was Barrel. Barrel used to be a staple on my device, but recently I’ve been heading more toward the Cylinder bandwagon. They have the same function, but I think Cylinder stepped up the game. The reason I bring these tweaks up because DockFlow is a lot like Barrel, except it’s for your dock. If you’re like me and love different animations on your device, then you’re probably going to be a pretty big fan of DockFlow. This is something I plan on using on my daily driver because if I uninstall it, I know I’ll miss it. You can see that it doesn’t only add animations to your dock, but it will also alter the appearance. My favorite right now is “Rotary” (pictured above). This makes it so the icons spin on an axis. You can see that there are icons in the foreground as well as in the background. If we go into the settings, one thing to mention is that the settings panel is not named “DockFlow”, it’s named “BarrelDock”, which I believe was what the tweak was named previously, but just hasn’t been updated. Once you tap on BarrelDock, you’ll be presented with some toggles that allow you to to continuously scroll, enabled paging, remove dock labels, and center an icon when you select it in the dock. Some animations will require you to change the icons spacing in order for it to look good, and you can easily do so with the sliders in the picture below. You also can change the scroll speed and perspective of the icons for certain animations. But, the real fun comes when you start to choose an animation. There are 11 animations in total right now and most of them are pretty good. Rather than trying to describe all the animations to you, you should just check out the video walkthrough below and I’ll walk you through each one. You can pick up DockFlow in Cydia for $1.99. Let me know what you guys think about it in the comments below, I’m pretty excited to see what kind of updates and new animations this tweak will bring. Continue reading →

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iOS 7 now installed on 85 percent of iOS devices

Apple on Monday refreshed its iOS usage numbers, revealing that 85 percent of iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners are now running iOS 7 or later. These figures cover a 7-day period ending March 23, 2014 and are refreshed regularly. They are available publicly on Apple’s developer portal. iOS 7 was introduced in September 2013, with users installing the new OS on 200 million devices within the first five days of availability. By the time December rolled around, iOS adoption had climbed to 74 percent in early December. The figure has been climbing steadily, reaching 78 percent at the beginning of 2014 and 80 percent in the third month of this year. Driving iOS 7 adoption among iOS owners has been the release of several notable updates, including the most recent iOS 7.1, which added several new features like CarPlay support, improvements to Siri and more. An earlier update, 7.0.6, was a security fix that patched a major flaw in Apple’s SSL system. Running far behind iOS 7 is iOS 6, which is installed on a mere 12 percent of devices. The rest of the OS versions (iOS 5 or earlier) comprise a minuscule 3 percent. These App Store Distribution figures are provided to developers as a tool to help them target the most common platform used by the target audience for their apps. Continue reading →

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Apple to release only a 4.7-inch iPhone model this fall

In a research note to investors, UBS analyst Steve Milunovich claims supply chin checks indicate Apple will release only one iPhone model with large-sized screen later this fall. The launch of this supposed iPhone 6 will kick off iPhone sales in Q3, which will decline in the intervening March and June quarters. Milunovich predicts this new iPhone will sport the in between 4.7-inch display instead of the larger inch screen. It may be sold at a higher price tag than the current 4-inch iPhone 5s, which starts at a $199 subsidized price or $649 full retail price for the 16GB model. “… his “checks” of the supply chain suggest the next iPhone, an “iPhone 6” is most likely to come in August or September, rather than June, in two different models, one with a 4.7-inch screen, one with a 5.5-inch screen. He thinks the former, the smaller of the two, “seems certain,” but that the 5.5-inch model “may or may not launch at the same time and could be of the same resolution (lower pip), which would help app developers.” Previous rumors suggest Apple is working on both a 4.7-inch and a larger 5.5-inch iPhone, which could debut later this fall. It may be 26% thinner than the iPhone 5s, measuring a slim 0.22 inches (5.59 mm) thick versus the 0.30 inches (7.6 mm) of the iPhone 5s. It may also include an Ultra-Retina display with 389 pixels per inch and a 2.6GHz A8 chip. Pegatron, along with Foxconn, are expected to start manufacturing the device sometime in Q2 2014. [Via Barron's and MacRumors] Continue reading →

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Apple will automate iPhone battery production starting from late 2014

A new report from Taiwanese sources claims that Apple is looking to automate battery production of the iPhones in order to focus on other essential components needed by the smartphone. This move will save plenty of time and help Apple focus on other essential areas where manpower is essential. The report said – “Apple has already automated its Mac Pro and iMac production lines. Other than materials and final assembly, manpower is not required for the rest of the manufacturing,” indicating that Apple will take the same route with the iPhones. Not only will this move help save some time, but will also save money for Apple. An automated process will further rule out any errors associated with manufacturing as observed in some rare cases with the iPhone 5s from last year. Apple’s manufacturing partner, Pegatron is expected to begin production of the iPhone 6 by the end of Q2 2014, with a launch expected by Fall this year. So streamlining battery manufacturing could prove to be crucial in speeding up the assembly process. But with most of Apple’s component supply partners based in China, this new change is unlikely to make Apple shift its supply chain anytime soon. [Digitimes] Continue reading →

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Theme Sunday: elite 7, Fuel, 0xygen, Infinite7, VectrOS

Here is our weekly installment of Theme Sunday! If you’re looking for a new Winterboard theme for your iPhone, then go ahead and check out these cool themes we’ve compiled for you. elite 7 – $3.99 elite 7 is a really detailed theme that has a more 3D look rather than the native flat iOS 7 theme we’re used to seeing. It has some pretty vibrant colors and I like the way it looks with darker backgrounds because it really makes those icons stand out and get your attention. FUEL theme – $2.99 For those of you that like the sleek, black Winterboard themes, you really should check out FUEL. It has some really nice soft, matte icons that completely changes feel of your device. It also comes with a dialer, respring, battery, dock, and jelly lock themes. Not to mention some additional wallpapers to match. 0xygen – $2.99 This is favorite theme this week. It has some really nice long shadows that we are now seeing pretty regularly popping up in newly released themes. The high contrast colors make the icons really pop and with the right iconOmatic mask, I think this could be a really awesome awesome looking theme. Infinite7 – Free Here is a pretty different looking theme. It gives me somewhat of a gradient, tie-dye feel, but somehow works when it’s all put together. This is a free theme that you can grab in Cydia, so you might as well try it and see what you think about it yourself. VectrOS – $2.99 This is another really nice theme. Some of the icons really give you a feeling of having some nice depth. Like the phone, remote and activator for example have that nice indention right in the middle of the icon that is just big enough for the tip of your finger. If you’d like to see these themes live, check out the video below: As always, let us know what you think about the themes in the comments! Continue reading →

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Keep Every Device Energized with the PowerShare Charging Bundle [Deals Hub]

There’s nothing worse than picking up a favorite device just in time to realize that the battery is about to give out on you. With so many handy, portable tools for us to use, it’s important to keep them all powered up so we can use the most use out of them as possible. You can keep up all of your tablets, phones, mp3 players, and everything in between energized with the PowerShare Charging Bundle. It’s on sale now in the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. Keeping your devices charged has never been as convenient as it is with the PowerShare Charging Bundle. Plug into any outlet with the PowerShare Adapter, a tool that turns outlets into USB ports to power all your devices. When you have a group of devices that need to be charged, hook up to the PowerShare Reactor and add battery life to up to four devices at the same time. You’ll never have to go without a full share again. You can get the PowerShare Charging Bundle on sale from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub for just $49.99. It’s a savings of 33% off the retail price. That’s a deal you can’t beat, so grab this offer today. Continue reading →

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How to use Facial Recognition to unlock your iPhone with Appellancy [Jailbreak Tweak]

Here is a brand new tweak that’s just been released for beta that unlocks your iPhone using facial recognition. You’ll no longer have to slide to unlock, use TouchID, or enter a passcode. Simply wake up your device and as long as your face is visible to the front facing camera, it will automatically unlock. This is a really exciting tweak and I’m really looking forward to it’s official release. But until then, in order to give this a try for free, you will have to add the repo cydia.absolutezero.com. Then just search for “Appellancy” and it should show right up. Once you install Appellancy, the first thing you’ll want to do it make sure that it’s enabled in the settings. Then you’ll have some options to toggle on or off, here are a few: You can disable Appellancy when there’s notifications on the lock screen to keep it from automatically unlocking and you missing your notifications. You can also make it enable only on the passcode lock screen if you so desire. Disabling Appellancy while music is playing on your device will keep you from unwanted unlocks if, for instance, you’re just waking up your device to switch a song from the lock screen. Once you’ve enabled the settings the way you want, head over to the Appellancy app, there is no actual icon since the graphics haven’t been designed just yet, but you should see a gridded icon there to tap on. Some users have said there was no app at all, if that’s the case, it’s possible it’s invisible and you will need to tap on the next available open space on your springboard where your next installed app would be place and it’s should launch the tweak. Once inside the app, there will be a “Deny” album, which is full of people that are not allowed to unlock the device. You can add people to this album if you so choose. You will want to tap on the “+” icon in the top right corner to add a new album with your face. This way the tweak will know what face to look for when unlocking the device. Once you’ve created the new album, just tap “Start” in order to initiate the picture taking process. Make sure you are holding the device and moving the camera around your camera to get different angled pictures of your face. This will help with face detection if you’re holding your iPhone differently each time. It will automatically take 10 pictures and it will stop. If you want more pictures, or more angles, then just tap “Start” again and it will take more pictures and add those to your album. Once you’re done, taking pictures, just lock your device, make sure your face is visible to the front facing camera, and wake up your device. It should automatically unlock. The more pictures you have of yourself in the album, the longer it’s going to take for the device to unlock. I also had a few difficulties with different lightings, but overall it worked pretty well. If you want to see how to set this up and see the tweak in action, check out the video below: Give Appellancy a shot and download the beta for free. The beta will expire on April 1, 2014 so you have a little bit of time to see if you’ll want to purchase the final version or not once it’s released. Make sure you let us know what you think about it in the comments! Continue reading →

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Rumor hints at impending MacBook Air updates, slim 12-inch MacBook and late 2014 iWatch launch

A post on Weiphone.com and reported by MacRumors potentially sheds some light on upcoming changes to Apple’s MacBook notebook line as well as some details about the rumored iWatch. The poster has a track record of posting legitimate information, making these rumors more credible than other leaks. The poster describes upcoming changes to the MacBook Pro line as well as hinting at a new 12-inch notebook that is predicted to include a trackpad without a mechanical button and possible fan-less design. 1. MacBook Air updates are coming soon; MacBook Pro updates won’t occur until September. 2. He discusses a new 12 inch notebook without fan assembly. It comes with a new trackpad design that doesn’t include the mechanical button, as we do on current MacBooks. 3. An Apple watch device does exist but still in prototype stage, so its announcement won’t come anytime soon. It is not known where a 12-inch MacBook would fit into Apple’s notebook lineup, which already includes both an 11-inch and a 13.3-inch model. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo last year predicted a 12-inch Retina MacBook Pro for release in 2014. While the trackpad was not mentioned by Kuo, it may be related to a recent patent application that describes a trackpad powered by sensors and actuators, instead of a mechanical hinge. The post author also address the iWatch, noting that it still is in the prototype stage and won’t be announced anytime soon. This keeps with prevailing rumors, which suggest the iWatch will debut later this year. What do you think of these rumors? Are you interested in a 12-inch Retina MacBook? Continue reading →

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Here’s the hardware that powered Jimmy Kimmel and Billy Joel’s iPad duet

The iPad took center stage during a recent airing of The Tonight Show with host Jimmy Fallon and musician Billy Joel joining together to sing a doo-wop duet. The audience was entertained by an a capella rendition of The Lion Sleeps Tonight, but what you see on the surface is only part of the story. @vmarks @gavinpurcell iPad with Loopy running into Apogee Quartet. Any mics will work after that. Props to engineering genius @LawManchester — John MacDonald (@jmacmusic) March 21, 2014 The behind-the-scenes technology that powered the performance is equally as interesting with details on the hardware behind the iPad revealed by Tonight Show staff John MacDonald on Twitter. On the surface, it appears that the two only used an iPad and the Loopy HD app to record their performance, but the mini actually was connected to an Apogee Quartet. The Quartet is a professional multi-channel audio interface for iPad with support for 4 inputs and 8 outputs. As note by Apogee, the Quarter is designed to work with the iPad and the Mac. Apogee Quartet for iPad and Mac features special circuitry that makes a direct digital connection to iPad and iOS devices and is certified by Apple’s MFi (Made for iOS) program. Apogee Quartet for iPad and Mac also charges your iPad while you record so your work will not be interrupted. This $1400 device made it possible for Joel and Fallon to use microphones to record their voices, which explains why the input sounded so clear, even with the audience’s background noise. Details on the microphones the pair used are not available, but they obviously were wireless and connected to the Quartet for recording purposes. The system was designed by Grammy winning producer Lawrence Manchester, who is the resident music mixer for The Tonight Show. Fallon and Joel’s duet was so good, the performance even got a special mention by Tim Cook on Twitter, who called the recording “Magical.” [Via AppleInsider] Continue reading →

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Apple, Yahoo and Google reserve the right to read user emails

Microsoft was under fire earlier this week for accessing a user’s Hotmail account in order to identify the source of an internal leak. Microsoft, though, is not the only technology company that reserves the right to access customer emails — the terms of service for Apple, Yahoo and Google all contain a similar provision, reports The Guardian. Microsoft, as well as Apple, Yahoo and Google, use wording that allows each company to access content when doing so is necessary to protect company property. Microsoft used this ability to identify a tipster who provided a French blogger with source code for Windows 8 and the information required to activate the software. Former Microsoft software architect Alex Kibkalo was identified as the source of the leak and arrested in Seattle this week. Apple users are not exempt from this type of intrusion as Apple exerts the same rights as Microsoft. Apple’s terms of service states: Apple “may, without liability to you, access… your Account information and Content… if we have a good faith belief that such access… is reasonably necessary to… protect the… property… of Apple”. Following negative backlash over reading a user’s email, Microsoft has changed its privacy policy, now requiring an internal and external legal team to review Microsoft-originated access requests and increased transparency when these requests are made. Continue reading →

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New HealthPatch biosensor hints at what’s possible in Apple’s iWatch

Vital Connect today launched HealthPatch, a new biosensor product that measures parameters vital to a person’s health and well-being. The wearable fits under a user’s clothing and replaces several costly medical devices that currently are in use. Vital Connect has packed cutting edge sensor technology into the HealthPatch device, making it small enough to be worn on the chest without detection under a shirt or blouse. Siting next to the skin, the device will measure both medical and fitness vitals such as heart rate, respiratory rate, skin temperature, stress levels, sleep staging and more. HealthPatchTM can replace devices like chest straps, bracelets, arm bands, clip-on pedometers and sport watches currently being used to track fitness and wellness. Instead, athletes training for a major competition or average people simply trying improve overall health can wear the HealthPatchTM day and night for continuous readings and evaluations. Vital Connect is close to receiving FDA approval for the device and will have a consumer version ready in just a few months. While the medical version will be targeted towards older customers who can take advantage of advanced functions like fall detection, the consumer version will focus on personal health management and fitness tracking. Though not applicable to the iWatch directly, this technology gives us insight into what the iWatch may be capable of in future iterations. Apple has hired several key employees from Vital Connect, including former Research and Developer Vice President Ravi Narasimhan, algorithms architect Nima Ferdosi and biomedical engineer Alexander Chan. Apple has assembled a a dream team of scientists and medical researcher to work on its iWatch product, which is expected to debut sometime in 2014. What features do you think the iWatch will include? What would you like to see? [Via 9to5Mac] Continue reading →

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Apple may launch streaming music service, bring iTunes app to Android

Apple reportedly is looking to boost its lagging music sales by adding an on-demand streaming radio service that would compete with Spotify, Rdio and Beats Audio. The company is allegedly talking to senior music label executives about this endeavor, reports Billboard who cites as its source three people familiar with the talks. Apple launched iTunes Radio alongside iOS 7 late last year. The service mirrors Pandora by allowing users to listen to music based on channels that they create. This new service would expand beyond this radio channel-style playback and move the company to an in-demand service that lets users create playlists and listen to any song in the service’s library. “They are feeling out some people at labels on thoughts about transitioning its customers from iTunes proper to a streaming service,” says one major label source. “So when you buy a song for $1.29, and you put it in your library, iTunes might send an e-mail pointing out that for a total of, say, $8 a month you can access that song plus all the music in the iTunes store. It’s all in the ‘what if’ stage.” These on-demand services, like Spotify and Rdio, usually require a monthly subscription, though free options are available if a user doesn’t mind limitations on their streaming and advertisements between songs. Billboard also claims Apple may be porting its iTunes app to Android, bringing music, movies and television shows to the competing platform. This would be the first Apple-sanctioned app in the Google Play Store. Several iTunes apps already exists for Android users, but they are created and maintained by third-party developers. Though Apple has not supported Android, Google has embraced iOS bringing official Google apps for Google Play Music, Google Books, Google Play Movies & TV and more. Continue reading →

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How to create nested folders in iOS 7.1

There was a bug in the initial few releases of iOS 7 that let you create a folder inside folder, but Apple patched it later. If you liked having nested folders, we have some good news for you. It’s possible to create nested folders in iOS 7.1 too, read further for step-by-step instructions. To create a folder inside a folder, you’ll need one folder (we’ll call this folder 1), and two apps that live on the home screen, and aren’t in a folder. Put one app over the other to create a new folder, but before the folder zooms in, tap and hold folder1. Once the screen zooms into the new folder, you’ll see that you can now drag folder1 into the new folder. You can now release folder1, and folder1 will be inside the newly created folder. For a better demo, here’s a 26 second video showing the whole process, which is quite quick. You can now release folder1. Some users say that it is possible to use this technique in earlier versions too. Let us know if you were able to create nested folders in earlier versions of iOS 7 too. (If you’re jailbroken, there are plenty of tweaks that let you do this easily.) [via TUAW] Continue reading →

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Virgin Mobile giving huge discounts on contract-free iPhones; iPhone 5s starts at $385, iPhone 5c starts at $315

Virgin Mobile is having a “Web Exclusive” sale on off-contract iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s models, offering a discount of as much as 30%. Here are the prices for the iPhone 5s: iPhone 5s 16GB: $385 iPhone 5s 32GB:$455 iPhone 5s 64GB: $525 And the discounted prices for the iPhone 5c are: iPhone 5c 16GB: $315 iPhone 5c 32GB: $385 Note that although these devices are off-contract, they are still unlocked to Virgin Mobile, and you won’t be able to use it on other networks unless you get it unlocked. Notably, even adding the cost of an unlock would still make Virgin Mobile’s deal cheaper than what an unlocked phone would cost you from Apple. [via 9To5Toys] Continue reading →

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Bump Your Favorite Music in the Car with this FM Transmitter [Deals Hub]

The car is one of the best places to rock out. You’re in the comfort of your own space, no one can hear you to judge your singing ability and even though people can see you through the windows, they’re going by so fast that you won’t have to worry about them. Hook up your iOS devices to your car stereo with the FM Transmitter from Toccs and get to jamming. It’s on sale now from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. Make your road trips go by faster with the FM Transmitter from Toccs. All you have to do is plug in the transmitter, pick a station, and tune your car radio to that station. Hit play and you’ll hear your music coming across the speakers. You can hook up via the AUX cord or USB, which gives you the capability to play tunes from any of your devices. You can get the Car Stereo FM Transmitter from Toccs for just $27.99 from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. That’s a savings of 59% off the retail price. That’s a great price for this awesome accessory, so grab this offer today. Continue reading →

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GarageBand for Mac updated with MP3 export, new drummer pack

Apple today updated GarageBand for the Mac, bringing the music-making app to version 10.0.2 and adding several improvements, including a new drummer music pack. The biggest change to GarageBand 10.0.2 is a new export option that allows users to export songs as MP3 files. Other changes listed in the release notes include: Improves stability and addresses a number of minor issues Adds the option to export songs as an MP3 Contains multiple enhancements to Accessibility Includes 3 new Drummers and drum kits from the rock, songwriter, and R&B genres* *Part of the one-time in-app purchase that includes the complete set of GarageBand sounds, loops, and drummers, as well as access to the GarageBand Lesson Store. GarageBand 10 was released along with OS X Mavericks last fall and was offered for free for customers who purchased a new Mac. This change in price was extended to all iLife and iWork apps for both iOS and OS X customers. Though the basic version of GarageBand is available for free from the Mac App Store, the app offers lessons, loops and extra instrument packs for a fee. Continue reading →

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Apple CEO Tim Cook ranked 33rd among Fortune’s list of world leaders

Fortune today published its inaugural list of the World’s Greatest Leaders, singling out individuals like Pope Francis, Dalai Lama and Bill Clinton for their contribution to society. Tim Cook was one of only a few technology executives who made it into the top 50 list. The rankings were compiled by Fortune editor Geoff Colvin, who praised Tim Cook for his leadership style at Apple, following the unfortunate passing of former Apple CEO and founder Steve Jobs. Following Steve Jobs has arguably been the toughest corporate leadership assignment in decades, yet Cook has carried it off with mostly quiet aplomb. In 2½ years he has kept the parade of winning new products marching (the Retina display, new operating systems, the iPhone 5), and he is bringing in Burberry’s savior, Angela Ahrendts, to run Apple’s retail stores. That’s thinking different. Tim Cook (#33) is joined by other technology executives such as Amazon’s Jeff Bezos (#10), Alibaba’s Jack Ma (#16), and YouTube’s Susan Wojcicki (#42). Continue reading →

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Christian Bale first choice to portray Steve Jobs in Aaron Sorkin biopic

Academy Award-winner Christian Bale is the frontrunner to play Steve Jobs in Sony’s upcoming biopic about the Apple founder, reports TheWrap. Bale is allegedly top choice because of his uncanny resemblance to the late Apple CEO. Bale is known for his commitment to his craft, once shedding 60 pounds for his role as Trevor Reznik in The Machinist. While Steve Jobs is a long way from Batman, Bale has been considered a prime contender to play the tech superhero since the project was first announced due to his physical resemblance to the Apple co-founder. Bale has not been approached to play Jobs yet, as the actor is taking a brief break from the business to spend time with his family since wrapping the role of Moses in Ridley Scott’s “Exodus.” The Biblical epic is expected to have Bale back in the awards conversation. Aaron Sorkin wrote the screenplay for film, which will be produced by Scott Rudin, Mark Gordon and Guymon Casady. David Finch may take lead as the director, but he has not officially signed on to the film. The movie will portray Jobs in three 30-minute long scenes that focus on different Apple product launches. Production of the film may begin in late 2014 or early 2015, with no premiere date yet available. Continue reading →

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Starbucks iPhone app updated for iOS 7; lets you shake to pay and digitally tip

Starbucks’s iPhone app just got a major upgrade with an all-new iOS 7 design, and a bunch of new features including the ability to shake to pay at the register, and a way to digitally tip baristas. Here’s a full list of what has changed in Starbucks for iPhone v3.0: Digital Tipping (U.S. company-operated stores): You’re welcome to tip your barista up two hours after your purchase. You’ll receive a push notification after each eligible transaction. Dashboard: See your rewards level, available rewards, inbox messages and most recent transactions. Shake-to-Pay: For added convenience, simply shake your device to show the barcode to pay at the register. Share Rewards Milestones: Reached Gold Level? Spread the word on Facebook and Twitter. Integrated History: View your entire account history—including purchases made, Stars earned and rewards redeemed—in a single feed. If the app hasn’t been automatically updated, you can download the update via the Updates tab in the App Store app or use the iTunes link below. Download link: ➤ Starbucks – free Continue reading →

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Hackers hijack EA Games server, setup phishing site for Apple IDs

According to security research firm Netcraft, an EA Games server was hijacked by hackers and is being used to steal Apple ID logins. The compromised server hosts two websites on the ea.com domain. The EA server was used to host a calendar powered by a 2008 version of WebCalendar with known security vulnerabilities. The flaws allowed an attacker to modify settings in the software and execute arbitrary code. This and other security flaws were patched in recent updates to the WebCalendar software, but these releases were not applied to the version installed on EA’s server. Once compromised, the server was turned into a phishing site that attempted to trick Apple owners into divulging their Apple ID, password and other sensitive information. The phishing site attempts to trick a victim into submitting his Apple ID and password. It then presents a second form which asks the victim to verify his full name, card number, expiration date, verification code, date of birth, phone number, mother’s maiden name, plus other details that would be useful to a fraudster. After submitting these details, the victim is redirected to the legitimate Apple ID website … Netcraft alerted EA Games to the compromised server, but it was still online as of Wednesday morning. As always, be cautious when you receive an unexpected email from Apple or are prompted to enter your Apple ID into an unknown website. If you are concerned about your Apple ID, ignore links in emails or on websites and visit Apple’s website directly at http://ift.tt/k8WFVt. [Via AppleInsider] Continue reading →

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Imagination’s new ray-tracing Wizard GPU may bring photorealistic graphics to future iOS devices

Apple graphics chipset suppler, Imagination Technologies, today announced a new GPU family that adds ray tracking technology to the PowerVR lineup. Apple currently uses the PowerVR G6430 graphics chipset in its A7 processor that powers the iPhone 5s, the iPad Air and the Retina iPad mini. Ray tracing allows for complex and more natural lighting on 3D models, creating photo realistic, cinema-quality images. The technique is commonly used by special effects masters and computer animation artists to create lifelike images. The Unity 5 Game engine recently adopted the technology, which provide real-time lightmaps for mobile game development. PowerVR Wizard GPU is a significant leap forward for mobile devices, bringing a level of graphics rendering that was not previously possible. For the better part of the last eight years, we have been busy developing unique hardware and software technologies to radically lower the cost and dramatically increase the efficiency and performance of ray tracing. This work culminates at GDC 2014 with the official launch of the PowerVR Wizard GPU family, a range of IP processors that offer high-performance ray tracing, graphics and compute in a power envelope suitable for mobile and embedded use cases. This opens up the potential of highly photorealistic, computer generated imagery to a host of new real-time applications and markets not previously possible. The first Wizard product will be the PowerVR GR6500, which is built on Imagination’s PowerVR Rogue architecture and includes the company’s recently launched PowerVR Series6XT GPU processors. Then PowerVR GR6500 is expected to land in retail products sometime in 2015. Apple has used Imagination’s PowerVR graphics throughout its iPhone line and is a minor investor in the graphics hardware company. It is possible that Apple may be interested in this technology for its future iOS devices, but the company has not been explicitly named by Imagination as an early adopter. [Via MacRumors] Continue reading →

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ProWidgets: A must have tweak for all multitaskers

ProWidgets is a brand new tweak that just hit Cydia that allows you to quickly activate, minimize, and dismiss commonly use apps in the form of widgets, while you actively use your device in the background. Multitasking on a device can sometimes be a pain if you’re having to go to the app switcher or back to the springboard to open another application every time you need to switch. ProWidgets makes that a much easier task. ProWidgets is compatible with the iPhone and iPad, though in my experience, I’ve enjoyed the iPad version much more just because of the amount of real estate it has which allows you to use ProWidgets more effectively. This tweak automatically installs CCLoader, if you don’t already have it installed, which allows you to quick toggle on your widgets straight from the control center. If you’re on an iPad, it doesn’t work quite the same way, so you’re better off setting activator actions in order to enable the widgets. There’s quite a few default widgets that come with ProWidgets, including Alarm, Browser, Calendar, Dictionary, Quick Compose Mail, Quick Compose Messages, Notes, Reminders, and Timer. You can also activate these widgets by using the built in buttons in the notification center and on the lock screen. After you’ve activated a widget you can minimize it by double tapping on the title bar of the widget. Once it’s minimized you can double tap it again to close. Or you can simply close it when it’s maximized with the “close” button. Some widgets, including the Alarm will respond to a single tap of the title bar, giving you another screen with more options, as you can see below. If you’re on an iPhone the widgets will automatically snap to either side of your screen, while on the iPad you can move them to any portion of your screen with no restrictions. Also, if you open more than 4 widgets at a time on an iPhone 5s, there is a considerable amount of lag. This will probably be less on lower devices. But, these widgets are not made to be on your home screen at all times, they’re just for a quick reference and then to dismiss away. If you need it again, simply activate it once more. You also have some different themes to choose from, 4 to be exact. You can either match your current theme on your device or maybe change it depending on what time of the day you’re using ProWidgets. The theme below is the “Dark Blur” theme. You’ll notice in the picture above that you can install a theme via URL, well you can also do that for 3rd party widgets. So this is just a framework for a lot of cool widgets that developers can create. A few that I’d like to see would be Tweetbot, Pandora, and Spotify. If you’d like to check out the video walkthrough of ProWidgets, see below: As always, let us know what you think about ProWidgets as well as what type of widgets you’d like to see added in the future. Continue reading →

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Fast food chain Burger King plans to offer mobile payment app

Fast food restaurant Burger King today announced plans to rollout an iOS application that will allow customers to pay for their meals using their smartphone, reports Bloomberg. This new payment system could debut as early as next month. The new payment program will debut next month as the number 2 burger chain in the US tries to attract a younger crowd, who prefer the convenience of mobile payments. Similar to Starbucks, the Burger King app will use a reloadable gift card system to supply funds necessary for payments. The program will be introduced next month and should be in all of Burger King’s more than 7,000 U.S. locations in “a few months,” Bryson Thornton, a spokesman for the company, said in an e-mailed statement. The option to order food and drinks ahead of time for later in-store pickup may be added, he said. Burger King will join several other fast food restaurants that already offer mobile apps. Chains like McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Dunkin Donuts offer apps that allow customers to find nearby stores, browse nutrition information and both order and purchase meals. These apps also offer coupons and other discounts to customers. Coffee chain Starbucks is the leader in the mobile app department and has long allowed customers to make purchases using their iPhone. The latest version of the app, released on Wednesday, adds “shake to pay,” which allows customers to easily pay for their coffee by shaking their phone. The shake movement will automatically retrieve the barcode of the customer’s Starbucks card and present it for payment scanning. It also allows customers to tip to their barista directly from within the app. Do you use a mobile app to purchase meals at a fast food restaurant? Continue reading →

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